Life Tip #15

Procrastination

We've all heard the adage, "Procrastination is the thief of time." Analyzing why you are putting things off is a helpful first step.

Here are some reasons why people procrastinate. Which ones seem familiar?

• Feeling overwhelmed-Try breaking down the overwhelming task into smaller parts and do the most essential one first.

• Perfectionism-If it doesn't turn out exactly right, it's not any good. Remember, "perfect" rarely exists!

• Fear of failure or success-No action avoids disappointment; success can be daunting if you don't believe in yourself.

• Resentment about what needs to be done-feeling "forced" or frustrated by the job at hand and/or feeling there is not enough time to do the things you really want to do.


And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!

Life Tip # 12

Winter Wind-down?

As the days get shorter and the nights colder, it can be a time to reassess, not just dig in. If you're feeling like you're in a rut or disheartened by things in your personal or professional life, consider these tips:

•If what you're doing isn't working, try taking a break from all the activity. A "mental health day" can allow you to relax and look at things more objectively.

•Are your goals and values aligned? Inconsistency between these two can lead to stress, discouragement, self-sabotage and procrastination.

•Write down 5 things you've been promising/fantasizing/putting off doing. Make a commitment to do 2 of them within the month.

And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!